Edmonton Oilers
Hall of Famer
David Tomasek discusses why he signed with the Oilers, first impressions in Edmonton, and more
Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/david-tomasek-discusses-signing-with-oilers-first-impressions-edmonton
David Tomasek walked up to me in the hallway below the stands of the Downtown Community Arena after his fifth Captain Skate with some of his new Oilers teammates. His dark brown hair was peeking out of the back of his helmet as he greeted me with a huge smile surrounded by a goatee.
It was obvious his HockeyDB page was incorrect in listing him at 6-foot-1 and 187 pounds. He is just over 6-foot-2 and is a solid 210 pounds. His size is noticeable when you compare him to the other new players in Edmonton, like Matt Savoie, Ike Howard, Andrew Mangiapane, and Curtis Lazar. Size and skill can be a deadly combination in the NHL.
But Tomasek is the great unknown heading into Oilers training camp. I have him and defenseman Alec Regula as the two most intriguing players to watch when training camp begins September 18th.
Tomasek isn’t new to Canada. He played two seasons for the Belleville Bulls in the Ontario Hockey League when he was 17 and 18. He remembers a bit of playing against Connor McDavid (Erie Otters), Darnell Nurse (Soo Greyhounds), and Andrew Mangiapane (Barrie Colts) for those two seasons. Belleville missed the playoffs in his rookie season and lost in the first round in his second year. He scored 13 goals each season and produced 27 and 31 points playing mainly on the third line.
He returned to Czechia and has spent the past 10 seasons playing pro in Europe. He’s played in the top league in Czechia, Russia, Finland, and the past two seasons with Farjestads BK Karlstad in the Swedish Elite League. He led the league in goals in 2024 and led the league in points last season. He’s been an offensive player the past few years, but when he played for Czechia at the Men’s World Championship this past spring, he played on the fourth line. He played well in that role, and showing his versatility garnered interest from multiple NHL teams.
Tomasek told me he’s had offers before, but most were two-way deals, and he wasn’t sure he was ready to fully compete for a spot on an NHL lineup, so he remained in Europe and continued to work on his game. He’s excited for the challenge now and said he would have always regretted it if he didn’t come back to North America to play in the best league in the world.
Jason Gregor: Take me through the decision on why you chose Edmonton.
David Tomasek: I would say that it was maybe the personal contact with Stan Bowman and the team, we’ve been in touch for some time now, not just last year. They also came down to Sweden and wanted to introduce themselves, and we had a good chat about it. And I liked the idea about the team having a chance to skate with Leon and Connor, also is a great motivation to be around these best players, I would say, in the league.
Gregor: Sweden is a good skating league, and it’s much more of a defensive-minded league than the NHL, yet you were able to lead the league in scoring last year. You led the league in goals two years ago. You’ve just gotten better and better offensively. Explain your progression as a player over the past few seasons and why now is the right time to come to the NHL.
Tomasek: I think I was one of those guys who you would say developed a little bit later. I wasn’t as good in my early twenties or around the draft years. I had to understand many things, how to work with my size, with my skill, and develop the skill, develop some strength off the ice and kind of build confidence that I can have the skill to be one of the top guys in Europe. That was just built year by year, and I would say the last years were my best years in Europe and I feel I’m ready to compete in the best league in the world. I was offered contracts prior, but most were two-way deals, and I just didn’t feel I was ready to make it. I am now, though.
Gregor: Are you more comfortable at centre or on the wing?
Tomasek: The Last two years, I was a centre. On the National team, I was center and wing. So, I don’t care, just whatever fits them better. Whatever fit is better for the team, I’m going to try to do my best. And, I would say my style was a little bit better of a fit at centre in Europe. But obviously, we know here is a different system, and it’s a different league. It’s the best league. So, whatever fits best, I’m comfortable with.
Gregor: For fans who haven’t watched you play, can you describe your style of game and what they should expect to see?
Tomasek: It kind of depends on what role you’re going to get, but so far in Europe, I was able to be a point producer, having some skill and time on the power play. I see the ice well and I can make some plays. I also liked to use my size a little bit to create time and make plays.
But here, I think it really depends on how the next weeks are going to be and what role I’m going to get or I’m able to fight for. When I was put in a role where I had to defend, I could do it and when I was in the top two-line role, I could produce. My style depends on what role I’m given.
Gregor: Have you had any early discussions with coach Knoblauch as far as what he’s expecting from you?
Tomasek: No. We just chatted a little bit just to get an introduction. When I signed in the spring, it was right in the playoffs. So, there wasn’t much to talk about. But I’m going to see him in what, two weeks or something like that, a week and a half or so. We’ll see. We’ll go from there. I look forward to it.
Gregor: You’ve been in Edmonton for a week. Coming here, the change isn’t just on the ice, but also off of it. It is a big change. How are you and your wife fitting in with the new lifestyle?
Tomasek: We’ve been all over the place in Europe, and, obviously, this is a little bit different. You have to set up the phone numbers and get somewhere to stay. And we’re also waiting for our apartment, which will be ready soon. You have to get a bank set up so you can pay here, you know? So, it’s just those little things that are a little bit different than when you’re in the European Union. I would say that’s much easier. You can travel there more easily with one Visa and stuff like that. So doing all that makes it a little bit like the stress time, I would say.
But now I think we’re getting comfortable, and so far, the weather’s been pretty good. And, you know, we like the options. We like that there are a lot of places to go. We learned you have to get a car (laughs). We had to get a car, and we don’t mind it at all. We walked in the river valley. It was beautiful. Went to Little Brick and DogPatch. I think it’s a great city, and I heard it’s a great hockey town. These last two days, all the media around here, that’s more media than you have in Europe for games. So, just small changes and we just get used to everything.
I came early just to get more comfortable and get used to skating and used to the gear and the ice. There are so many new faces. There are so many people working for the organization, and that’s why I’m here early, so I can soak that in and prepare for camp and be comfortable. Today (Friday), I feel much more comfortable than I did on Monday. That will allow me to show my best when camp begins.
Gregor: Is there a little bit of feeling like a rookie again, even though you have lots of professional experience? Is it a mix of excitement and nervousness?
Tomasek: Yeah, for sure. In Europe, everyone knows what they’re getting from you, and you have a certain name already. I was there for ten years. But right now, you start from scratch, and you’re kind of new and a bit nervous sometimes, especially with skating with some of the superstars, let’s say, than you were watching on the highlights in Europe.
So, it’s just about getting used to that. They are, you know, they are just normal guys. They’re great guys. So just trying to get comfortable, keep the confidence a little bit, and just try to be yourself. And then whatever happens, happens.
Gregor: You will wear number 86. Any specific reason why you chose it?
Tomasek: You know what, I always wore number 96. That’s my birth year. And, for he last many years in Europe, I had it. But obviously, Jake wears it here, so it wasn’t an option. It’s my first year here, and I like number eight and having worn 96, I just thought they kind of connect, so I just went from 96 to 86.
Gregor: You’re 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds. Do you play a bit of a power game?
Tomasek: You know what, I didn’t have to in Europe because I was on the production lines and on the power play lines. But obviously, when I get emotional and I have, or when I have to be physical, then I try to use it.
But today’s game in Europe, in Sweden, when you have the big ice, you kind of lose the momentum when you hit, so you try to keep skating more. There’s a little bit less hitting. Obviously, there’s going to be more here, so I will just get used to that. And, you know, if I get put in a checking role or I am asked to use my body more, then I’ll try to do it. I mostly try to use it to protect the puck and stay in control, but if I need to hit, I’m going to hit.
Tomasek and I walked from the community arena to the Oilers rink, discussing his brief time in Edmonton. He’s enjoyed his time in Edmonton. He and his wife have already explored a bit of the river valley and are looking to see more. Fort Edmonton, the Mutart Conservatory are two places they plan on going and exploring more in the river valley. They will be moving into their apartment soon.
I’m interested to see where Knoblauch plays Tomasek. I’d lean towards him starting in the bottom six, but with Zach Hyman yet to shoot a puck this off-season, we could see Tomasek get a look in the top six during preseason. The Oilers could really use a “surprise” offensive player this season. Tomasek, Savoie, Howard, and Podkolzin are candidates. Andrew Mangiapane has scored more than 18 goals once, so if he managed to score 30 (he did it once before), that would be a big bonus.
I think most people enjoy an underdog story, and Tomasek would classify it as that. He feels confident and ready to contribute at the NHL level. His story is one I’ll be watching closely.
Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/david-tomasek-discusses-signing-with-oilers-first-impressions-edmonton
(@Ryley__Delaney) 
: Sportsnet